Hawleywood's Barber Shop

Parting shot: "Believe it or not, this trade has gotten me into the Playboy Mansion -- twice; 99 percent of the human population will never make it behind those gates."

Graphics

Donnie Hawley opened his iconic men-only barber shop in 1999 as a place for a guy to get a good haircut, a shave and a little man time.

At the time, Hawleywood's Barber Shop in Costa Mesa was unique among the scores of unisex mall walk-in cutteries and female-dominated salons. These days, there are parlors all over dedicated to serving male grooming needs, but Hawley is a legend in the business, appearing in a 2012 Morgan Spurlock documentary, "Mansome".

An oil-and-canvas depiction of him by artist Mark Cummings hangs at the Smithsonian as part of a portrait competition exhibition. He's also collaborated with skate shoemaker Vans on a signature line and has line of men's grooming products called 'Layrite,' which he will launch in Ireland in June. He has four shops (three in Orange County and one in Sydney, Australia) and plans to open in Harajuku, Japan, Las Vegas and Canada.

Recently Hawley, 40, took time to answer our questions:

Q. How did you get into the barbering business?

A. I started cutting hair at 12 when I moved in with my dad. My uncle had a barbershop so there was always a chair on the back patio. When I was 13, my cousin was on the high school football team and they all got Mohawks one summer before the season. I was able to join in on doing a few. In high school I'd also cut and style my friends hair before we would go out. From that moment I realized I had a knack and talent for cutting hair.

Q. Why is it important for the well-groomed man to have a place like Hawleywood's?

A. It gives men the opportunity to unwind, relax, have a beer, get a hot towel shave and a Hawleywood's signature cut. While getting pampered you get to listen to a collection of old, rare retro tunes and vinyl.

Q. What does Hawleywood's offer that some of the newer men's grooming salons do not?

A. First of all, I've spent my career traveling the world over, educating people on the difference between barbering and cosmetology. In beauty colleges you spend hours learning how to color hair, do makeup and nails etc. In barber college, your only focus is on hot towel shaves and men's haircuts done properly. This includes tapers, high-and-tights, flat tops etc.

At Hawleywood's you get a cut by a licensed, trained real barber. You get hot towels, the smell of bay rum, Playboy magazines, ice cold Pabst and gentlemen-only banter and jokes. There is a certain mythology to the Hawleywood's Barbershop experience that is quite beautiful. Once a patron and a Hawleywood's barber relationship is forged, it will outlast friendships and some of the strongest marriages.

Q. The straight razor shave seems to be a big trend these days, why do you think that is?

A. Because I brought it back from the dead through all my travelling and being in countless magazines and shows, it has inspired a lot of people to starts straight razor shaving. I've had customers come in one day and enlist as barber apprentices the next day!

Q. What is the difference between straight razors from the past and straight razors used today?

A. In the early days of the straight razor, the razor needed to be honed and stropped, which is tedious and time-consuming to do. Straight razors that real barbers use today are made in a way that allows us to use a new blade on every patron. This is for sanitation and sterilization purposes as well as to ascertain the closest shave possible.

Q. Is there a particularly popular beard or mustache style your clientele prefers?

A. A lot of people are growing beards nowadays due to TV shows and media so I've been working a long while on my beard balm and mustache wax. Most popular request these days are Rollie Fingers-style (or handlebar) mustache and biker beards.

Using a straight razor, Donnie Hawley expertly shaves a client. Hawley, owner of Hawleywood's Barber Shop and Shaving Parlor in Costa Mesa, specializes in straight razor shaving. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A Latherizer dispenses hot shaving cream for clients requesting a shave at Hawleywood's Barber Shop and Shaving Parlor in Costa Mesa. The Latherizer mixes liquid lather with water to produce the hot lather. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The new type of straight razor uses disposable blades that slide in and out for each patron that requests a shave. The old style is no longer used because of health concerns. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The old style straight razor on the left required sharpening with a stone and honing with a leather strap, as well as cleaning and disinfecting. The new style uses disposable blades that slide in and out for each patron. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Daniel Banegas, right, of Newport Beach waits his turn for a haircut at Hawleywood's Barber Shop and Shaving Parlor in Costa Mesa. He's been a customer of the 'men only' shop for three years. "Why would you buy a KIA when you could have a Mercedes," says Banegas when comparing other barber shops to Hawleywood's. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Barber Matt Tracy, left, of Hawleywood's Barber Shop in Costa Mesa, makes getting a hair cut entertaining for customers like Tyler Killion of Costa Mesa. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The view of Hawleywood's Barber Shop from the speakeasy area in the back of the shop. The shop has a 'no women allowed' policy. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A chair wait for the next customer at Hawleywood's Barber Shop and Shaving Parlor in Costa Mesa. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.